Fishermen's Protective Union

The Fishermen's Protective Union (FPU) was a socialist political party in the Dominion of Newfoundland that existed from 1908 to 1934. The party was founded by William Coaker as a cooperative movement for fishermen, and it had strong ties to Protestant Ulster Scots colonists. In 1912, the party adopted a platform that advocated the government regulation of fisheries, administrative and constitutional reform, and the extension of education and social welfare. The party lost support as the fishing industry declined during the Great Depression, and its political role ended in 1934 with the suspension of responsible government.